Neutral preamplifier recommendation $1K new

Must have: Active, remote, two XLR inputs and XLR output.

Units I’m considering.

Denafrips Hestia

Ladder Bach

Schiit Kara

Topping Pre90

Vincent Audio SA32

Looking for a unit that measures well & has no/little sound of its own. Right now I’m leaning towards the Kara.

mybuddy12-27-2024 2:13am

soix Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 9,597 posts 12-27-2024 at 03:37pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete Not all amps pair well with passive preamps, so if you’re considering that make sure your amp is compatible first.
jayctoy Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 4,155 posts 12-27-2024 at 03:52pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete Why not freya + ?
yyzsantabarbara Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 4,895 posts 12-27-2024 at 04:21pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete Freya+ is not a neutral preamp. It is even warmer than the Class A Schitt Mjolnir v3 that I have now. I owned the Freya+ at one time.
wturkey Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 778 posts 12-28-2024 at 12:04am Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete The Kara may be a very good choice. The three gain options are great. The input impedance is not great. Match wisely Having a preamp that uses 10% of the volume dial due to excessive gain can be quite annoying. The Kara is the opposite of that.
sschlund Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 1 posts 12-28-2024 at 12:58am Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete Check out Pro-ject Phono Box DS3 B. I have one as I just entered the balanced world of hifi. It is SS but they do have a tube model.